Signing Jimmy Graham isn’t what has a lot of Chicago Bears fans enraged. Adding the 34-year old would’ve been fine on its own. Yet that all changed when they saw the numbers involved. GM Ryan Pace gave him $16 million over two seasons including #9 million guaranteed. An average of $8 million per year and even added a no-trade clause for good measure.
Experts couldn’t believe they offered that money to a guy coming off a season where he had less than 500 yards and just three touchdowns. This wasn’t 2013 Graham they were signing. While it’s certainly possible the guy has a good year left in him, they’re paying him like they expected four or five.
It seems even sports agents can’t believe that deal. These are guys who are supposed to applaud players getting the best possible deal. Yet when Ben Standig asked several NFL agents for their opinions on the most shocking deals of free agency, one spoke candidly about Graham.
“Did they watch his tape? That was a shocking contract to me. There’s no way anybody else would’ve offered him that kind of money.”
Remember this is coming from an agent. That says a lot about how Pace clearly overpaid.
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Jimmy Graham needs a major bounce-back year to justify the money
The good news is the Bears can quickly escape this deal in 2021 if they wish. Still, it doesn’t justify the numbers. There is no way Graham had that kind of market to begin with. As before, Pace saw a guy he wanted and bid against himself to get him. This is a problem that has persisted for the GM dating back to when he first arrived in Chicago. That overaggressive mentality. Sometimes it works, but too often it’s simply unnecessary. If he was a little more patient, the odds are he could’ve had Graham for a much more afforable number.
Especially given how COVID-19 has impacted the free agent market with several good players not even signed at all.
This deal basically means Graham has to deliver an above-average season to justify the money. We’re talking at least 800 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are numbers he hasn’t hit since 2016. Most believe he no longer has the gas in the tank for it. Maybe the Bears’ tight end-friendly system can pull it out of him. They best hope so.
